Charging by induction
Definition
Charging by induction involves transferring electric charge to an object without direct contact. It relies on the influence of a nearby charged object to redistribute electrons within a conductor.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- Charging by induction does not require physical contact between the objects involved.
- The process involves bringing a charged object near a conductor, causing electrons in the conductor to rearrange.
- Grounding is often used in charging by induction to allow excess charge to move onto or off of the conductor.
- The final induced charge on the object is opposite in sign to that of the inducing charge.
- Induction can be used to temporarily or permanently charge an object, depending on whether grounding is applied.
Review Questions
- What is the main difference between charging by induction and charging by conduction?
- How does grounding affect the process of charging by induction?
- Why does an induced charge have an opposite sign to that of the inducing charge?
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Related terms
Conductor: A material that allows electrons to move freely through it, facilitating electric current flow.
Insulator: A material that resists electron flow, preventing electric current from easily passing through it.
Electric Field: $$\text{A region around a charged particle where its electric force influences other charges.}$$
